Review: Scrooge The Musical at The Curve Theatre

Scrooge The Musical at the Curve in Leicester. Picture: Pamela Raith(Image: Pamela Raith)

A Christmas Carol is one of the most important, and best, stories ever written.

Charles Dickens published his tale in 1843 and Christmas has never been the same since.

So much of what we do and enjoy today is down to his fabulous story and characters.

It has also been performed on the stage and on the big screen more than perhaps any other story with animated versions as well as an American film comedy version called Scrooged.

Even the Muppets have got in on the act with the help of Michael Caine. Blackadder also had a go a few years ago.

The Curve has decided to go all festive for Christmas for the first time and has produced its own version of Scrooge The Musical which is on until January 7 next year.

Scrooge The Musical at the Curve in Leicester. Picture: Pamela Raith(Image: Pamela Raith)

Apparently, Dickens wrote the story when the British were starting to embrace some new traditions such as a festive tree and combined it with some more traditional ones such as the carols. And so the modern Christmas was born.

What a character Scrooge is -perhaps one of the best fictional people ever created to the point where his name is part of every-day language, synonymous with someone who is very careful with their money and does not have much love in their soul.

At its heart, this tale is a fantastic story woven around the redemption of our main character which most people will already know.

This Curve version is a reprise of an existing musical version and is wonderful from the first moment.

The role of Scrooge is played magnificently by Jasper Britton. Being in most scenes this is a crucial role which will make or break the show. And Britton pulls it off from the first moment.

Scrooge The Musical at the Curve in Leicester. Picture: Pamela Raith(Image: Pamela Raith)

The three ghosts are also excellent in their roles although the last one does not get to say much. But the effects are awesome.

The staging is one of the best the Curve has produced - they really have not scrimped on the set.

The music is first-rate and is a natural part of the show. And it does have the one hit song which most people will have heard of called Thank You Very Much.

This is a cracking Christmas offering and hopefully the start of a new leaf for the Curve over its festive offering. Christmas comes but once a year (thank God I hear some say) and let’s make the most of it with this excellent show.